World · North America · 12 hrs ago
US school closures are not keeping pace with falling enrollment
US districts closed 1,156 schools last academic year, the highest total since the pandemic.
Yet public school enrollment fell by more than 1.4 million students between fall 2019 and 2024, so schools are closing more slowly than student numbers are dropping.
In Vallejo, California, where the district serves half as many students as two decades ago, leaders have closed five campuses since 2025 and face a $36 million deficit.
Closures often bring less savings than districts hope, because they still pay for costs such as student transport, staff severance and empty-building security.
They can also disrupt students and prompt families to leave; some Vallejo parents are considering homeschooling or moving, while one new class had 32 students.
Fewer births are the main cause of falling enrollment, with immigration enforcement, private-school vouchers and homeschooling also contributing.
Researchers say enrollment declines could mean more difficult financial choices for districts, though the sources do not specify what decisions will come next.
A total of 1,156 U.S. schools closed during the last academic year, the highest number since the pandemic, according to an analysis of federal data.
Public school enrollment fell by more than 1.4 million students, or about 3%, from fall 2019 to 2024.
New research indicates school closures have not kept pace with enrollment declines, raising the prospect of further financial choices for districts.
In Vallejo, California, the school district has closed five campuses since 2025 and faces a $36 million deficit.
Parents say closures and crowded classes are driving some families to leave, while the superintendent says the district needs to concentrate resources.
- Who
- U.S. school districts are closing campuses as enrollment falls. The story focuses on Vallejo students, families and district leaders.
- What
- Schools are closing, but research shows closures have lagged behind the decline in student enrollment.
- When
- During the last academic year, 1,156 schools closed. Vallejo has closed five campuses since 2025.
- Where
- Across the United States, including Vallejo, California.
- Why
- Falling birth rates are the primary reason enrollment is declining; immigration enforcement and expanded private-school vouchers and homeschooling have also contributed. Districts are closing schools to save money as funding falls.
Vallejo school district leaders
Parents concerned about closures
Need for closures
Vallejo school district leaders
Superintendent Rubén Aurelio says the district needs to right-size its system and concentrate resources on the students who remain.
Parents concerned about closures
Parents say closures disrupt students and families, and some are choosing homeschooling or moving to other districts.
Effects on students and schools
Vallejo school district leaders
Aurelio says cuts and closures are necessary to address a district built for significantly more students.
Parents concerned about closures
Kimberly Núñez-Brandão says classes of more than 30 students overwhelm teachers and asks who benefits.
Public school enrollment fell by more than 1.4 million students, roughly 3%.
Vallejo school district leaders closed five campuses.
A total of 1,156 schools closed across the United States.
Fifth grader Penny Núñez-Brandão started at Glen Cove Elementary after her previous school closed.
- Schools closed
- 1,156 during the last academic year
- Enrollment decline
- More than 1.4 million students, roughly 3%, from fall 2019 to 2024
- Vallejo campuses closed
- Five since 2025
- Vallejo district deficit
- $36 million
- Vallejo class size
- Penny Núñez-Brandão’s new teacher had 32 students in his first class
What people are saying
We’re right-sizing a district that was built for significantly more kids. And if we’re going to actually improve outcomes for the kids we still have, we need to concentrate resources.
Families are literally packing up their kids and moving away.
They already overwhelmed teachers with 30-plus students. Who’s winning here?
I don’t see any. None of my friends are coming.